Fastener and ornamentation device



7 April 28, 1942.

G. H. MONTMARTIN 2,281,108 FASTENER AND ORNAMENTATION DEVICE Filed June so, 1941 INVENTOR ATTO R N EY Patented Apr. 28, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FASTENER AND ORNAMENTATION DEVICE Guy H. Montmartin, New York, N. Y.

Application June '30, 1941, Serial No. 400,503

.12 Claims.

- 'Thisinvention relates to the art of fasteners and ornamental devices. More particularly, it

pertains to a device which may be broadly identifled as of the snap-fastener variety which is novel relative to structural aspects and from the standpoint of ornamentation.

In the fastening art, notwithstanding the numerous devices available, there is a dearth of means which combine operative simplicity with sturdiness of construction, and esthetic value with general utility. The usual types of fastening devices, especially of the so-called snapfastener variety, are essentially devoid of ornamentation value and too frequently are unreliable in their function, due to the fact that small changes in the structure of the socket portion, such as results from injury thereto or slight spring failure, renders them ineffective and/or uncertain. Efforts to obviate these uncertainties have resulted in structural complications which have at the same time detrimentally affected their esthetic significance. Moreover, as a device ofgeneral utility, the snap-fastener does not lend itself to flexibility of application, since it is normally restricted to but a singlemanner of attachment.

Itiis an object of my invention to obviate such difilculties and uncertainties as hereinabovedescribed.

An additional object is to providea fastener of 3 simple, sturdy construction adapted to function in the snap-0n manner.

Another object is to obtain a fastener device which lends itself to diversified types of attachment.

An important object is to devise a fastener device which combines novelty of structure with novelty of ornamentation.

A further object is to present a new ornamentation device.

Other objects, advantages, and featuresyof my invention will become apparent from the following description to be read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which similar elements are designated by like numerals:

Figure 1 shows in front elevation the com-- ponent parts of the invention, the spherical members being partially broken away;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1;

Fig. 3 presents a front view of the fastener assembly in association with the parts of a garment, the fabric being shown in fragmentary portions;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along 4-4 ofFig. 3; l

Fig. 4a provides across-sectional view similar to that of Fig. 4., indicating an alternative form of attachment;

Fig. 5 relates to amodification showing a. concave convex contact between the ornamental means and complementary member.

Referring more particularly to the adaptation of the inventionas presented by the desirable embodiment shown on the drawing, the numeral I designates an extensible-retractable element in the form of a coil spring, preferably closely wound and manifesting a reasonable degree of resilient or elastic tension. The ends of the spring means are compactly bound together as by appropriate overlapping 2 to provide an endless coil of substantial elasticity; in lieu of overlapping, tying, welding, etc. may be resorted to. Mounted upon said coil I through suitable openings or perforations 3 are 'a plurality of spherically shaped elements, hollow or otherwise, which are desirably positioned contiguous to each other in usual bead fashion.

Aifixed to the outer periphery of one of said spheres .4 is a flexible means 5 expediently in the form of a chain. The other extremity of chain 5 is attached to plate support 6, conveniently at an edge of said plate. The manner of attaching the chain extremities to the sphere and plate respectively is essentially a matter of choice within the skill of one versedin the art; as shown, one end is connected to half link i integral with an aforementioned sphere 8, while the other end closes a link through perforation 9 of plate 6.

Integral with plate 6, which may be of circular configuration, and substantially centrally positioned thereon, is a shank or projection element Hi provided with a spherical head ll, desirably of somewhat greater diameter than spheres 4. This shank and head assembly constitutes in effect a stud means upon which the socket portion of the device, such as the coil spring circlet, may be impaled.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, l2 and i3 designate fragmentary portions of a garment fabric, such as a ladys coat, to exemplify the utilization of a device as a fastening means. Plate 5 may be attached to fabric l2 superficially as by stitching through openings M on said plate. Fabric I3 is provided with a button hole or the like l5 through which the coil spring circlet may be passed from the inside of the garment outwardly for a snap-over association with head II. To facilitate the passage of the circlet through the button hole l5, it is merely necessary usage.

sociation with head I I in precisely the same manner as indicated hereinabove.

An additional illustrative manner of attachment of plate 6 to the fabric is between the layers of a split lining or between the liner and surface fabric.

It will thus be seen that the circlet functions similarly to the socket portion of a snap-fastener with head I! serving as the complementary male portion upon which the circlet is impaled in a manner to provide aretaining contact engagement. The dimensioning of the various elements of the device will be subject to variation in accordance with preference as well as the dictates of any given circumstances of Thus it should be noted that the diameter of head H taken together with the length of projection or shank l0 should be such that when plate 6 is in any predetermined position of usage, the circlet will be of a diameter to positively and circuitously engage head H, the point of contact of said spheres 4 with head ll being along the surface of the spherical head member between the center of the latter and plate 6, as shown in Fig. 4, to desirably provide a stable association or locking expedient between the circlet and the complementary male portion or stud member.

The possibilities afforded by the invention for novelty of ornamentation need no detailed elucidation and will depend upon the design and configuration of the component parts of the device.

It will be seen that the modification shown in by protruding the means 50 with head member H through an appropriate opening and bringing the circlet over for engagement with said head member.

While the desirable embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1-4 indicates the use of .5

spheres to constitute the circlet, the invention is not restricted to this configuration and clearly lends itself to many ramifications. For example, elements 4 may well be of cylindrical shape and mounted on their transverse or longitudinal axis for association with any appropriate supplementary contact means. Illustratively, they may be mounted along their transverse axis and adapted to form an ornamental cluster with a comparatively enlarged contact cylinder replacing the shank Iii and its spherical head II. If desired, any locking expedient may be resorted to, such as the provision of an enlarged or bulbous head portion on the contact cylinder or by esort to 'interfitting elements.

spond with the radius of the head member with which it is in contact, as shown by Fig. 5.

The particular material from which the various parts may be fabricated has no critical bearing upon the invention and will doubtless be determined largely from expediency and preference.

Thus, while coil spring I may be of steel, and spheres 4, head, projection Ill, plate 6, and chain 5 may be of appropriate metal, these elements need not necessarily be of such material. Illustratively, i may be an extensible or elastic band or. cord; spheres 4, projection l9, head ll, may be of a plastic composition; while resilient element 5 may be a cord of leather or otherwise.

As a suggested alternative for a button hole 15,- a conventional cord loop may be utilized.

It will thus be seen that the device forming the basis of the invention, as illustrated by the embodiments above considered, provides an ex-- peditious means for functioning as a separable fastener device which affords facility and efiiciency in operation, sturdiness of construction, as well as distinct novelty of ornamentation.

While I have described my invention in accordance with desirable embodiments, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a separable fastener device, a socket member and a complementary element for impaling engagement by said socket member, said socket member comprising an endless extensibleretractable means and means mounted thereon for engaging contact with said complementar element- 2. The device which comprises a socket member, a complementary element for impaling engagement by said socket member, and a flexible means for connecting said complementary element to said socket member, said socket member comprising an endlessspring coil and means mounted on said coil for retaining contact engagement with said complementary element.

3. In a separable fastener and/or ornamental device, a socket member, a supporting .plate means integral with a complementary contact element, and a flexible means for connecting said supporting plate with said socket member and adapted to consummate the fastening between said socket member and complementary element, said socket member comprising an endless spring coil and means mounted on said coil for retaining contact engagement with said complementary element.

4. In a separable fastener and/or ornamental device, an endless extensible-retractable mem ber, means positioned on said coil member contiguously to each other and adapted for retaining contact engagement with a complementary contact element, a supporting plate integral with a complementary contact element, and a flexible means for connecting said supporting plate with one of said means positioned on said coil member and adapted to consummate the fastening between said coil member and complementary element, said complementary element comprising stud means integral with and approximately centrally positioned on said supporting plate.

5. In a separable fastener and/or ornamental device, an endless extensible-retractable coil member, a plurality of spherical means positioned on said coil member contiguously to each other and adapted for retaining contact engagement with a complementary contact element, a supporting plate integral with a complementary contact element, and a chain for connecting said supporting plate with one of said spherical means positioned on the coil member and adapted to consummate the fastening between said coil member and complementary element, said complementary element comprising a spherically curved surface means integral with and approximately centrally positioned on said supporting plate.

6. The combination as in claim 5 wherein the contact between the respective surfaces of the spherical means mounted on the coil and the spherically surfaced complementary contact element is substantially tangential at points between the center of said contact element and said supporting plate.

7. The combination as in claim 5 wherein the contact between the spherical means mounted on the coil and the spherically surfaced complementary contact means is substantially concaveconvex.

8. A device comprising a complementary contact member, an endless spring coil having means of any predetermined contour mounted thereon for impalement on and providing a cluster contact with said complementary contact member, and a flexible means connecting said member with said endless coil through one of said means mounted on said cell.

9. A device comprising a complementary contact member of spherical contour supported on and integral with a plate means, an endless spring coil having means of spherical contour mounted on said coil for impalement on and providing a cluster contact with said complementary contact member, and a chain connecting said plate means with said endless coil through one said spherical means mounted on said coil, said spherical means on said coil being adapted for retaining contact with said complementary member at points between the center of said complementary member and said plate means.

10. In a cooperating stud and socket fastener device, a stud means and a socket for impalement thereon, said socket comprising an elastic circlet having a plurality of curved surface means mounted thereon, said socket being adapted for interlocking contact on said stud means.

11. In a cooperating stud and socket fastener device, a curved surface stud means having a base member, a socket for impalement thereon comprising a coil spring circlet having a plurality of curved surface means mounted thereon contiguous each other, said circlet being adapted for interfitting engagement with said stud means, and a flexible means affixed at one end to said base member and at its other end to said circlet.

12. In a cooperating stud and socket fastener device, a stud means having a spherical head, shank and base member, a socket for impalement thereon comprising a retractable coil spring circlet having a plurality of spheres mounted thereon and contiguous each other, said circlet being adapted for contact of its spheres with said spherical head at points between the center oi said head and said stud base member.

' GUY H. MONTMARTIN. 

